Developmental Screening FAQs

Are you worried about your child's behavior or mental health? A development screening offered by the Newark, DE, pediatricians at Just Kids Pediatrics, Dr. Kerry Kirifides and Dr. Sonia Shastry, can be helpful in identifying your child's issues.

Does your child need a developmental screening?

Most children act out or feel sad from time to time. Although these behaviors and feelings are perfectly normal if they only happen occasionally, they can be a sign of a developmental disorder or mental health issue if they occur frequently.

Developmental screenings can identify a variety of disorders and conditions, including:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Phobias
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Depression

Signs that your child might benefit from a developmental screening include:

  • Constant worries or fears
  • Feeling sad or unhappy
  • Emotional outbursts or temper tantrums
  • Difficulty focusing and daydreaming
  • Inability or unwillingness to follow instructions
  • Trouble remaining still during school
  • Repetitive behaviors, like constant handwashing
  • Poor social skills - difficulty making or keeping friends
  • Forgetfulness and losing clothing and homework on a regular basis
  • Poor performance at school
  • Impulse control issues
  • Trouble correctly interpreting body language of others
  • Problems with organization

What happens during a developmental screening?

During a developmental screening at the Newark, DE, pediatric office, your child's doctor will spend time discussing symptoms and behaviors with you and your child. She'll also perform an examination and review your child's medical history to ensure that the problems aren't related to a health issue.

The pediatrician may also observe your child's behavior and ask for observations from teachers and other people who spend a lot of time with your son or daughter.

After determining the type of developmental disorder your child has, his or her pediatrician will make treatment recommendations, which may include counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training and/or medication in some cases. She can also recommend a few strategies or techniques that will make living with the disorder much easier for your child.

Would you like to schedule a developmental screening with your pediatricians in Newark, DE? Call (302) 918-6400 to make an appointment with Dr. Kirifides or Dr. Shastry of Just Kids Pediatrics.